A basket pipe is anything a pipe shop owner decides to put in the basket, whatever he feels has been around the shop a little too long that he'd like to unload at a modest price. So the quality of these pipes depends on the quality of pipes the shop handles. Usually there are at least some junkers from low-end brands that aren't well made. However, years ago, I applied my experience to my local pipe basket and bought an unfinished pipe that turned out to be a classic Savinelli shape that smokes well and has lasted for decades. Few pipes are much better than a MM cob for smoking, so that is often a no-contest. In assessing basket pipes, first look at a lot of more expensive briars, so your eye is educated to spot quality, and see if anything in the basket looks like that. Tips offs on poor quality are stem stampings that are melted around the lettering; stems that don't meet the shank in a flush way; sloppily applied finish; exaggerated rustication that looks like it was done in a hurry; off center drilling; and a lame little button that you couldn't grasp with your teeth, to name examples. Basket pipes aren't a brand, so there is latitude for some real trash pipes and some quite good ones at extra good prices.
